Shadows by Jackie McLean: Book Review

Shadows by Jackie McLean is the second book in the Donna Davenport Mystery Series.

Nothing is routine when it comes to murder investigations and Donna Davenport knows this all too well. What appears to be a crime of passion—the body of a woman washed up on the Arbroath Beach—turns out to be an even more heartrending and devastating crime.

There are too many burning questions in this investigation and Donna feels at odds with herself because she cannot shake the feeling of being pursued. When she is finally getting the answers she needs, she realizes this case is becoming too close to home for her. So much is at stake for Donna because she has to cross international borders to put this case to rest. Donna has to expose and bring down the illicit entities who prey on many desperate people, forcing them to live in the shadows.

The Characters

I have come to love Donna Davenport even more in this story! I adore her resilience and all of her faults (Plus…I really like her snarky sense of humor too!). She is second to none in the way that she always goes beyond the call of duty to serve the people of Dundee. The mind-boggling case she is working on is not for the faint hearted. Donna certainly has the fortitude to overcome any obstacle this bizarre case throws at her.

I must mention this remarkable lady named Libby Quinn. She works at a prestigious university in Dundee, Scotland and her workload is very heavy but she always makes time for the important people in her life. She is always ready to stand side by side with Donna in any situation. Her tireless support and abiding love for Donna has created a huge soft spot in my heart for her.

Natesh is Donna’s dearest friend. They grew up together and they share a very close bond. Natesh is such a comical and vibrant character and it would be remiss of me not to mention him. He is usually the one giving Donna endless support while she works on difficult cases, however, on this particular case that Donna is investigating, Natesh is the one that relies heavily on Donna.

The Writing Style

Another intense, fast paced and intriguing story! Jackie McLean brought out all of the emotions of each character beautifully. The scenarios were raw and realistic. The author went deep within herself to give a frank and unapologetic depiction of the ways human trafficking affects societies worldwide.

The Pros

I was very pleased that the author placed a great deal of emphasis on Donna using her intuition to guide and protect her. This story drove home the importance of listening to that small voice, especially when crucial decisions have to be made.

The Cons

The Conclusion

If there is one thing I could promise you about this novel, it would be that you will be totally engrossed in this story! If you enjoy reading riveting crime/detective novels that you have no intention whatsoever of pausing while you read, then this is definitely the story for you! This book can be read as a stand-alone novel, however, if you would like to have a deeper understanding of the characters and their stories, then I would suggest that you start with the first book in the series.

Excerpt from Shadows by Jackie McLean

One, two, three, four five, once I caught a fish alive.

Six, seven, eight nine, ten, then I let her go again.

He chuckled as he sang the words softly. There she was: Donna Davenport. He was going to have to be more careful. While it was an unexpected bonus to see her out here, it wouldn’t do to get caught out. With her return to work, he was going to have to learn her new routines.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was wearing that long, sleek leather jacket that he liked, and her mid-length blonde hair ruffled fashionably chaotic in the early winter breeze.

A remarkable amount of activity went on here. People leaving the building. Some arriving back from wherever. Mail delivery. Bin collections. Cars with screaming sirens racing from behind the complex every two minutes. It was a wonder he still managed to feel invisible while he sat watching her.

But who wouldn’t feel invisible next to her? A shadow to her glow. Basking in her light.

Basking like a shark.

No, no, no, he wasn’t a shark.

He would never harm her.

But you want to?

No!

He would only make her happy.

Lived to make her happy.

His heart rate quickened as she walked towards him.

Oh, my God!

But she walked on by, never glancing in his direction. Then she double-backed, walked the perimeter of the car park, and went back inside the building.

Well, he thought, now that she was safely inside, no time like the present, and he opened his car door and got out.

Focus, Donna told herself as she walked around the car park. Only an hour to go before her next smoke.

Ross would have her new team assembled for her by now. She took one last look around, unable to shake the unnerving feeling that she was being watched.

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My name is April Adams and I am an accountant at a civil service office. Even though I read a wide variety of lesbian fiction, I enjoy mystery and thriller books the most because I love the state of suspense the stories have me in until the end and I find out “who’s done it.”